COLUMBUS, IN — New orders for trucks in North American surprised in July, according to newly released figures from the commercial vehicle industry data provider ACT Research, with the Class 8 category just surpassing the 24,600 level. 

According Kenny Vieth, ACT’s president and senior analyst, at the midway point of the third quarter, the economy and freight markets are being buffeted by cross-currents, generating mixed signals.

 “In July, Class 8 orders broke to the high side of expectations for the first time since February,” he said. “Helping drive the high-side outcome in July was a large press-release worthy 9,000 unit, multi-year order, but even if this is excluded July’s orders were well ahead of expectations.”

ACT Research also reported the Class 5 through Class 7 sector posted a better 15,900 orders for the month.

“On balance, the Classes 5-7 market saw orders improve from June to July, with broad-based strength in Classes 6-7 orders up 7% year-over-year, offsetting weakness in Class 5 orders, which were down 12% year-over-year,” he said “The improvement in Classes 6-7 orders would have been stronger but for a sharp drop in step van orders versus a one-off order last July.”